Homeless man given house disguised as a dumpster

A homeless man has been living in a small wooden box on the street after two male models fitted the dwelling with creature comforts like electricity and disguised it as a dumpster.

Damian "Dean" Cummings had been living on the streets of New York City for seven years when he came across two men trying to find a safe place to sleep during a bitter winter in 2016.

The 39-year-old, from Trinidad, had no idea Shane Duffy, 37, and Phil Sullivan, 28, were the co-founders of the homeless advocacy charity I Am Supported or that they were looking for someone special to help.

Cummings offered them blankets, information on the area and some of the little food he had – making a lasting impression that would motivate the two men to find a way to get him off the streets.

Damian "Dean" Cummings has been living in the fake dumpster since June 2016. (I Am Supported) ()

"We came back and said, 'We’re grateful for what you did for us. We want to pay it forward,'" Duffy told the New York Post. "Dean said, ‘What if you built something for me to live in?'"

The plan to create an inconspicuous abode that resembled a dumpster was hatched and Duffy, a contractor, started to work on the 1.8m long and 1.2m tall box.

The $2000 home was fitted with three solar panels to power a charging station, a fan, lights, a heater and hotplate.